My first post is to show you how we can use this new category of the forum.

In 1980, Bose founder and CEO Dr. Amar Bose conducted a mathematical study to determine the optimum possible performance of an automotive suspension, ignoring the limitations of any existing suspension hardware. The result of this 5-year study indicated that it was possible to achieve performance that was a large step above anything available. After evaluating conventional and variable spring/damper systems as well as hydraulic approaches, it was determined that none had the combination of speed, strength, and efficiency that is necessary to provide the desired results. The study led to electromagnetics as the one approach that could realize the desired suspension characteristics.

The Bose suspension required significant advancements in four key disciplines: linear electromagnetic motors, power amplifiers, control algorithms, and computation speed. Bose took on the challenge of the first three disciplines and bet on developments that industry would make on the fourth item.

Prototypes of the Bose suspension have been installed in standard production vehicles. These research vehicles have been tested on a wide variety of roads, on tracks, and on durability courses.

If you don't know, Bose is a manufaturer of top quality amplifiers and speakers

Very impressive and I have been a fan of Bose speakers for a long time and had no idea they had anything to do with suspension. I even have a pair of their excellent multimedia speakers on the desktop as that is all I will ever be able to afford and typically the ones I have are no longer made. I can't recall seeing a bike with active suspension but I suspect if there is an advantage to be had it will appear on the GP bikes first and then be outlawed.

To be honest all it would do is add an extra layer of complexity that I for one do not need. The K100 has more than enough and there are plenty of times I would like to see a carburettor instead of injectors and two fewer cylinders.

Phil

Dr Bose is a very clever man with some very clever people working for him. He was the first to show you do not need big speakers to make big sound with excellent base using a separate speaker for base which was non directional. I have two sets of his sound cancelling headphones one for SWMBO and one for me and they are excellent, long distance travel is MUCH nicer when wearing them. Would love his suspension on my bike!
Regards,
K-BIKE

hi,


This is rather naive of me, but.

I wonder, when the car with normal suspension takes a turn some of the energy pushing it sideways is absorbed by the shocks. However the ultrafast responce of the bose suspension keeps car very upright and stiff so maybe the power vector pushing sideways is stronger?

And if so does it not mean that normal cars on everyday roads using regular tires will be more likely to slip sideways on their tires?

Roy

Looking at the in-car image on the bumpy road whilst it could be faked the camera seems much more stable sideways as well as up and down. I shall talk to my suspension guru Mike Pengelly with regard to his thoughts. I went with him to a hot rod show a week or so ago and he was pointing out all the chassis builders who had welded up special chassis' had fantastic quality welding but in a few words pointed out how they had made BASIC mistakes in suspension geometry which made the chassis design compromised and in one case dangerous!
Regards,
K-BIKE

BMW automobiles have become quite advanced as well in the last few years. Munich's suspension technology is just unreal at this point. I am quite familiar with them since I sell BMWs for a living and I am lucky enough to drive them every day. If you have a chance, visit your local BMW Center and ask the salesman to demonstrate BMW's "Active Roll Stabilization" and you will be quite amazed!!

Scottie
GM let's me park my K100 on the lot!